I knew our summer was going to fly by when one cool spring day I sat down and realized that I had every weekend planned out until the middle of September. Workin hard and playin hard... its the only way to go!
So begins the retro-blogging...
Our summer seemed to officially begin this June, when we were treated to an amazing adventure with Sue and Steve and their dear friends Barb and Terry Gillespie. They had planned out a wonderful tour de la Oregon and our little family got to go along for the ride! It was hard to tell who was hosting who! Which was a quite a treat! We had been anticipating this visit for what seems like forever and it's hard to believe it's already an amazing memory!
We spent the first evening doing a little bit of hard labor to make sure we were all deserving of this vacation (note the lovely shrubs in front of the patio!) Then we got to relax with quality company and enjoy our hard work.
The next morning we set out for Crater Lake and stopped at Watson Falls for a primo picnic spot
We stretched our legs with a hike to the falls... Norah just trucks right along, leading the pack the whole way!
Norah and Greg check out the falls
Norah sports Daddy's hat
We got to Crater Lake and checked into the amazing lodge. It was such a treat to be able to stay at such an incredible place. So much history... it was one of Teddy Roosevelt's favorite places!
Goofy girls
Tribe of Elders... so much wisdom!
Nana got the laughs rollin out of Norah with her horse impressions! So cute!
We caught a beautiful sunset...
and I kinda geeked out with the photos...
Greg, Norah and Gimpa making their way back to the lodge.
The tour de force
Crater Lake had gotten five times their normal amount of snow, which unfortunately meant that the road was closed beyond the first view point. We walked a little bit and were impressed by the towering snow drifts.
Norah passed out on our little walk... so figured it was time to pack it up and head to California (which worked out really well for me, as I only brought sandles and was having a hard time getting excited about snowshoeing in sandles... but I was ready to!)
We took a rest stop at a nature hike that was full of Darlintonia, the Oregon carnivorous pitcher plant.
Look out!! They're coming to get you!
It was fun to explore nature with the experts!
We did a quick drive through the Jedediah Smith Redwoods on our way to Crescent City. Our whistles were whet immediately.
Norah loved the view from the front seat
We got a great place in Crescent City that was right on the ocean, Norah was ready to hit the beach and get the sand between her toes!
Just look at the sun shining through those locks!
Pretend like you like each other!
Cheek to cheek!
The next morning we headed to the woods and hit the trail... Norah was all smiles!
Norah's favorite thing to do in the redwoods is to monkey around! The world truly is her playground!
The Many Meyers!
Norah made friends with a tree frog... though I think the poor thing had a concussion by the end of their little game!
Not quite the Boy Scout Tree, but very very close!
This is perhaps my favorite trail of all time... we hiked it last June with my mom... I hope we are so lucky next year!
Snack time.
My name is Tree Top and I'm higher than you'll ever be. I'm married to my roots here. Still I feel that I am free!
~ Widespread Panic ~
Feeling small beneath such majesty!
Norah was dreaming of tree frogs by the end
The view from our hotel room. Steve and Terry are on their way to collect firewood for our big beach fire later that night!
Did I say BIG beach fire!
Possibly the most hilarious group photo ever... I hit the button, grabbed Norah and ran into the plastic patio chair... which was not prepared for the momentum... the result... hilarious!!
My little ray of sunshine!
Notice the chair is unoccupied!
Gimpa treated us to some homemade tune-age. Norah was dancing away (couldn't get the picture to load :(
Such a perfect fire-on-the-beach night!
Look at the size of that trunk next to the Prius!
Greg and Norah and I found a sweet little spot on the river, Norah was nudie right away!
I remember thinking "I wish I could just tap into this moment at will" when I was taking this photo. Pure perfection!
Norah on one of the majestic beauties in the Stout Grove.
A sweet little gnome home
This puts the jungle in 'jungle gym'! She was over
under and through the trees in the grove
One for the mantle
Peek-a-BOO!
We left the Redwoods and headed to Medford for an evening of sophisticated fun with the American Band College performance, featuring Barb and Terry's daughter, Amy, on the flute.
Our little family stopped at Bridgeview Winery, where Norah was able to feed the fish, ducks and even a swan! It was also the only winery that we've been to that sold boxed wine... now you're talkin!
As we headed back north to Eugene we stopped by Whistler's Bend for a river dip while the boys played disc golf... naturally!
Norah found a little froggy that she kept in her little cup... it was hard to peel her away from her new little friend.
When we were back in Eugene we did a good amount of relaxing. We took a trip to Dorris Ranch, the first commercial hazelnut farm in the United States, that is now a county park. It's one of our favorite places to go.
Norah just loves to ride the tractor! Gimpa's showin her how to gear it up! Nana Sue said that she used to drive one just like this when she was a little girl! Pretty cool!
All these hazelnut trees are so romantic!
I love having these quiet places right in town! Perfect for a quick way to feel far far away!
We followed the crew up to the Columbia Gorge as they made their way back home.
The Observatory was a great place to stop and soak in the beautiful scenery.
A special place inside and out!
Even Bishop got to stretch his legs on the lawn!
We couldn't miss Multnomah Falls
Our little family unit
Norah had her first ice cream cone at the falls!
Priceless!
We closed the day with a nice hike to Ponytail Falls, can you see Barb and Terry hiding behind the falls!? I just love a waterfall you can sneak behind!
It was a spectacular visit, topped off with a wonderful Italian dinner in Old Town Troutdale. We couldn't have asked for better times with better company! These are the kind of memories that bless you for years to come!
Thanks for the good times Sue and Steve and Barb and Terry!
Can't wait to see you again!
